To kick things off, let me define “oxygen concentrator” and explain its function in the most basic terms. Concentrators of the gas oxygen are use to purify and store large amounts of oxygen in environments with low oxygen levels. Approximately 78% and 21% of the air we breathe are nitrogen and oxygen, respectively, with the remaining 1% being make up of trace gases like carbon dioxide, helium, etc. Removing nitrogen from the air in this way allows for oxygen concentrations of up to 97%. Oxygen concentrators frequently employ zeolite as the adsorption medium due to its low cost and abundance. Simply put, an oxygen concentrator removes nitrogen from the air passing through it while letting the oxygen through unimpeded.
Knowing what an oxygen concentrator is and how it operates has led to the next set of questions: how to test it to make sure it is working properly, and why this is so important. We’ll start by discussing how important this problem really is.
Why should an oxygen concentrator be test if it is functioning properly?
The primary distinction is between receiving treatment and not. It is important to have quality control measures in place to make sure that the patient and the person administering the oxygen are both getting the correct amount of oxygen if it is essential that they receive it. Another option for supplementing your oxygen supply is to use an oxygen tank, but this method is costly and requires regular upkeep in the form of tank swaps. Flow through an oxygen tank is necessary for oxygen to be present in the tank. If the tank only contains 100% oxygen at ambient pressure, then this must be the case.
There is no assurance that the oxygen concentration in the hbot will increase when using a concentrator. This article will not delve too deeply into the why, but it is important that the reader understand that oxygen concentrators need internal pressure for the nitrogen adsorption process to take place. Even if internal pressure were to be lost because of a leaking gasket, a broken sieve bed, or an unsecured fitting, the oxygen output would remain unaffect above the percentages found in ambient air. The deciding factor is that oxygen is tasteless and odourless. Therefore, without the proper testing equipment, you have no way of knowing whether the oxygen you are breathing comes from a machine that produces 21% oxygen or 100% oxygen.
How can we tell if it is working properly? Exactly how can we put it to the test?
To verify the oxygen concentrator’s integrity, there is both external and internal testing gear available. If you want to make sure your output is correct, you can use an oxygen analyzer to do so. The author recommends spending a little more money on an oxygen analyzer/indicator that uses a technology that will maintain its accuracy for many years, as there are many on the market, each using a slightly different approach to measuring oxygen. Some modules use parts that deteriorate in as little as a year, so they must be replace on a regular basis. Unfortunately, for only about $100 more, you can get an oxygen analyzer that may last a lifetime.
The oxygen concentrator must be disconnect from the respiratory system in order to conduct external tests, which is an inconvenience. The device cannot be put into use and test at the same time. For internal monitoring of oxygen levels, tools like a purity alarm are worth the cost if safety is a concern. These devices use sensors to keep an eye on a target, much like purity alarms and indicators do, but they hide the monitored value from view. On the other hand, they are connect to an alarm system that will sound if the oxygen level drops too low. A typical trigger for these warnings is a concentration of 80%. The use of an oxygen indicator is crucial because not all oxygen concentrators have built-in warnings. Use both internal and external testing devices to ensure the reliability of your equipment and the efficacy of your care.
Finally, because of oxygen’s therapeutic importance and its unique properties, understanding how the equipment works and taking steps to ensure its proper performance is crucial. Due to its odourless and colourless nature. Oxygen requires the use of either internal or external testing equipment to ensure that the correct therapeutic dose is being administere. Ultimately, a combination of internal and external testing devices provides the best safety and awareness in terms of hyperbaric chamber treatment quality control.
